*Update*: Min Aung Hlaing assures Modi: Myanmar's territory will remain secure for India

Myanmar's President U Min Aung Hlaing assured during his first foreign visit to New Delhi that Myanmar will not use its territory against Indian security interests. BBC reports that talks between Modi and Min Aung Hlaing covered border protection, trade, and defense cooperation – issues that are particularly urgent for India given the unstable situation along the shared border.

A central outcome of the meeting is an agreement to expand cooperation on minerals and rare earths. Nikkei Asia reports that Modi and Min Aung Hlaing agreed to deliberately promote these strategically important raw material relations – an area in which Myanmar has substantial reserves and India wants to diversify its access.

Engagement instead of decoupling

Foreign Minister Vikram Misri explicitly defended the course against critics. Al Jazeera reports that Misri stated history had shown that decoupling delivered no better results than engagement – a direct response to Myanmar's opposition groups, which sharply criticize India for inviting the military leader. New Delhi counters: inclusion is the only viable path.

The visit sits within the broader context of Modi's neighborhood policy. Hindustan Times reports that Modi has instructed the Foreign Ministry to focus more strongly on immediate neighbors – on the grounds that India cannot become a global power without solid relations throughout the region. Min Aung Hlaing's visit coincided with the visit of Nepal's government chief, which observers view as a deliberate signal from New Delhi.

Balancing act between security and criticism

Times of India reports that Myanmar's military government is using the visit in turn to regain diplomatic room to maneuver after years of international isolation and criticism. For New Delhi, the balancing act remains delicate: security interests and economic connectivity on one side, pressure from human rights organizations and Myanmar's opposition on the other.